Du Plessis eager to take Sri Lanka to 'breaking point'

Faf du Plessis wants to see South Africa force beleaguered Sri Lanka to "breaking point" early in the two-match Test series.

Struggling Sri Lanka will start the series in Durban on Wednesday without a win in seven Tests, losing all but one during that dismal run.

Captain Dinesh Chandimal was dropped following an emphatic 2-0 defeat to Australia, so Dimuth Karunaratne will skipper his country against the Proteas.

A new selection panel was appointed in November and Sri Lankan cricket has also been rocked by match-fixing allegations, all of which head coach Chandika Hathurusingha said have had an impact in the dressing room.

South Africa captain Du Plessis says his side will show no mercy on the tourists as they eye a whitewash.